Portal:São Tomé and Príncipe

The São Tomé and Príncipe Portal

São Tomé and Príncipe (/ˌsaʊ təˈmeɪ ... ˈprɪnsɪpə, -peɪ/ SOW tə-MAY ... PRIN-sih-pə, -⁠pay; Portuguese: São Tomé e Príncipe (Portuguese pronunciation: [sɐ̃w tuˈmɛ i ˈpɾĩsɨpɨ]); English: "Saint Thomas and Prince"), officially the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe (Portuguese: República Democrática de São Tomé e Príncipe), is an island country in the Gulf of Guinea, the western equatorial coast of Central Africa.

It consists of two archipelagos around the two main islands of São Tomé and Príncipe, about 150 km (93.21 mi) apart and about 250 and 225 km (155 and 140 mi) off the northwestern coast of Gabon. With a population of 201,800 (2018 official estimate), São Tomé and Príncipe is the second-smallest and second-least populous African sovereign state after Seychelles. It is also the smallest Romance-speaking country outside of Europe in terms of population and area.

The islands were uninhabited until their discovery in 1470 by Portuguese explorers João de Santarém and Pedro Escobar. Gradually colonized and settled throughout the 16th century, they collectively served as a vital commercial and trade centre for the Atlantic slave trade. The rich volcanic soil and proximity to the equator made São Tomé and Príncipe ideal for sugar cultivation, followed later by cash crops such as coffee and cocoa; the lucrative plantation economy was heavily dependent upon enslaved Africans. Cycles of social unrest and economic instability throughout the 19th and 20th centuries culminated in peaceful independence in 1975. São Tomé and Príncipe has since remained one of Africa's most stable and democratic countries. According to 2023 V-Dem Democracy indices São Tomé and Príncipe is ranked 56th electoral democracy worldwide and 5th electoral democracy in Africa. São Tomé and Príncipe is a developing economy with a medium Human Development Index. (Full article...)

Selected article -

Location of the Presidential Palace of São Tomé e Príncipe on the Island of São Tomé

The Presidential Palace of São Tomé e Príncipe (Portuguese: Palácio Presidencial de São Tomé e Príncipe, also known as Palácio do Povo) is the official residence of the president of São Tomé and Príncipe and located in the capital, São Tomé. The 19th-century Portuguese colonial style structure formerly served as the residence of the governor of Portuguese São Tomé and Príncipe, until 1975 when the country achieved independence. (Full article...)

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São Tomé and Príncipe at Olympics events -

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São Tomé and Príncipe competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, which was held from 13 to 29 August 2004. The country's participation at Athens marked its third appearance in the Summer Olympics since its debut in the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Two track and field athletes, Yazaldes Nascimento and Fumilay Fonseca, were selected to represent the nation via wildcards, as the nation had no athletes that met either the "A" or "B" qualifying standards. Fonseca was selected as flag bearer for the opening ceremony. Fonseca was also notable for becoming the youngest ever athlete to represent São Tomé and Príncipe at the Summer Olympics, aged 16 years and 92 days. This is a record which still stands today. (Full article...)

List of Olympics events articles
São Tomé and Príncipe at the 1996 Summer Olympics São Tomé and Príncipe at the 2008 Summer Olympics São Tomé and Príncipe at the 2016 Summer Paralympics São Tomé and Príncipe at the 2012 Summer Olympics São Tomé and Príncipe at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Did you know -

...São Tomé and Príncipe is also the smallest Portuguese-speaking country in the world.

Selected picture -

Image 1A view at Príncipe
Image 2Waterfalls near Ponta Figo, São Tomé and Príncipe
Image 3The shores near Ponta Figo, a village on São Tomé Island
Image 4A typical beach on the island of São Tomé
Image 5Palm trees on the Ilhéu das Rolas
Image 6Armed Forces of São Tomé and Príncipe personnel undergo medical training with US Navy personnel
Image 7The island of São Tomé off the west coast of Africa
Image 8Island of Príncipe (Sao Tome and Principe), 1727. The inscription says: "The ISLAND of PRINCESS lies between the Islands of FERNANDO PO & St. THOMÉ in the Latitude of 1 Degree 30 Minutes N. all belonging to the Portuguese. This Island is very Woody and breeds abundance of Monkeys, insomuch that it is not safe to walk in the Woods without a gun. The harbour is very convenient to Careen Ships in, and most Ships Bound from Africa to America with Slaves put in here for Food, Water etc."
Image 9Map of the Gulf of Guinea, showing São Tomé, Príncipe, and Annobón. These islands, together with the island of Bioko and Mount Cameroon on the African mainland, are part of the Cameroon line of volcanoes.
Image 10Hiking in the equatorial forest on the island of São Tomé

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